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5-Star Cajun Shrimp Pasta Joy Revealed

Cajun Shrimp Pasta
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Make this restaurant-quality Cajun Shrimp Pasta at home. You will enjoy the bold spices and rich, creamy sauce that makes this dish a favorite comfort meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound linguine or fettuccine pasta
  • 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 1 green bell pepper, finely chopped
  • 2 celery stalks, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning (adjust to your spice preference)
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

  1. Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water before draining.
  2. While pasta cooks, season the shrimp evenly with 1 tablespoon of the Cajun seasoning.
  3. Heat olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned shrimp and cook for 1-2 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Remove shrimp from the skillet and set aside.
  4. Reduce heat to medium. Add the remaining 3 tablespoons of butter to the same skillet. Add the onion, bell pepper, and celery. Sauté for 5-7 minutes until vegetables soften.
  5. Stir in the minced garlic, remaining 1 tablespoon of Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper (if using). Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  6. Pour in the chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Let it simmer for 2 minutes.
  7. Reduce heat to low. Stir in the heavy cream and bring the sauce to a gentle simmer. Do not boil.
  8. Stir in the Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water.
  9. Add the drained pasta and the cooked shrimp back into the skillet. Toss everything gently to coat the pasta evenly in the sauce.
  10. Stir in the fresh parsley. Serve immediately.

Notes

  • For the best flavor, use a high-quality Cajun seasoning blend.
  • If you prefer less spice, reduce the amount of Cajun seasoning and omit the cayenne pepper.
  • You can substitute heavy cream with half-and-half for a slightly lighter sauce, but the texture will be less rich.
  • Elias suggests tasting the sauce before adding the Parmesan to adjust the salt and spice level.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://flavorvista.com/cajun-shrimp-pasta-recipe-creamy-spicy/